What Is Sideline?

Sideline is a virtual phone number app for iOS and Android created by Pinger, Inc. in 2015. The same company also owns TextFree, and TextFree Voice, which offer similar and often overlapping call and text services in their apps.

The inbox on Burner (left) and Sideline (right)

What Are the Differences Between Sideline and Burner?

Unlike Burner, which allows unlimited numbers on a single device, you can only have one number on Sideline.

Secondly, whereas Burner offers service to the U.S., Canada and Australia, Sideline only works for U.S. residents.

Sideline offers Salesforce integration. This is great if you use Salesforce already, as it allows you to log business communications in the same system that tracks your leads already. Burner does not offer Salesforce integration at this time.

However, Burner surpasses Sideline when it comes to other call management features, such as call/text forwarding, reminders, customizing lines (with colors and photos), as well as archiving texts, contacts, and voicemails to cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive.

The other place Burner excels is with the focus on privacy. Unlike Sideline, Burner offers a PIN lock option and the ability to mute contacts or place your Burner lines on Do Not Disturb.

And for those who enjoy messaging with emotive visuals, Burner’s MMS supports gifs, while Sideline only supports text messages.

Why Choose Burner Over Sideline?

If you only need a single number for your Business, Sideline is a good choice, especially if Salesforce integration is useful to you. But it’s a more expensive option than Burner.

On the other hand, if you may want additional lines, number swaps (number changes), or improved privacy, then Burner is the right choice. Many Burner users find it convenient to keep multiple lines active at the same time, for example using one for a work project and the other to give out as a general “spam” line.

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How Much Does Sideline Cost?

Sideline starts at $10/month, nearly double the cost of Burner, where you can get unlimited calls, texts, and pics for only $4.99/month.

Sideline is also ad supported, where Burner is not. On Sideline, it will cost you an extra $2.99/month to remove the ads. So you’re looking at $12.99/month for an ad free, single line service.

VoIP calling and texting on Sideline is yet another $2.99/month.

Burner is not ad supported, and VoIP (also known as in-app calling) comes included with all lines.

$14.99/month for Sideline versus $4.99/month for Burner, which has more privacy and call management features. It's your call.

What Are People Saying About Sideline and Burner?

I love having this option to use one line with an additional number. I can keep my business and my personal life separate without the need and the hassle of carrying to different phones and the unnecessary expense of additional cellular service. Whoever thought of this is a genius!

— Earl Stahl, Android Reviewer

Great app to keep your private number private, and still be sociable. Have business calls on same phone, and for fun. Talk about user friendly, simple with all kinds of features I didn’t even realize existed. An absolute must. Probably best app I’ve ever used. 10 stars in my book. Thanks for a great app that’s simple and offers so much!